Dead End by Leigh Russell Read Free Book Online

before that I certainly wish there was a way to find out what Lucy had in mind. I don't know what your take on it is, Ian, but it's pretty obvious to me Matthew Kirby was seeing another woman. What do you think?’
    ‘Do you think he wanted to get rid of his wife, gov?’
    ‘We need more information,’ Geraldine said when they were back in the car.
    Peterson turned the key in the ignition and glanced in his rear mirror. ‘Hold on, gov. That's her. She's going out. Looks like it might be our lucky day.’ Lucy Kirby came into view scurrying down the front path. ‘I wonder where she's off to?’
    ‘Visiting friends?’ They watched Lucy hurry along the road, head down, wearing a navy anorak over her baggy jogging pants. ‘Let's see if we can catch up with her.’
    They cruised slowly along the road and pulled into the kerb alongside Lucy who scowled as Geraldine's window slid down.
    ‘Hello, Lucy.’
    ‘Why are you following me?’
    ‘We weren't following you, Lucy. We saw you walking by as we were about to leave and stopped to talk to you.’ She opened the car door and climbed out. ‘I thought you might be able to help us.’ Lucy stared at the pavement. ‘I wondered if there was anything you wanted to tell us?’ Lucy shook her head. ‘I'll go then, Lucy. But here,’ Geraldine held out her card. ‘I'd like you to take this. If you think of anything that might help us find out who's responsible for your mother's death, call this number and speak to me. Now, is it a good idea for you to be out on the streets alone at a time like this? Can we give you a lift home?’
    ‘Why would I want to go back there?’
    ‘Don't you want to be with the rest of your family right now? With your father?’
    Geraldine's suggestion sparked a response. ‘Why would I want to be with him?’ Lucy backed away from Geraldine, eyes suddenly blazing. ‘If it wasn't for him, she wouldn't be dead. It would never have happened. Go away and leave me alone!’ She spun on her heel and dashed away.
    Geraldine sprinted after her. ‘Lucy, where are you going?’
    ‘It's none of your business,’ the girl panted. She didn't slow down but Geraldine kept pace easily.
    ‘Right now everything is my business, Lucy, including your safety. I can't let you wander the streets at a time like this without knowing you've got somewhere safe to go.’
    Lucy stopped and turned to face Geraldine. Tears were streaming down her thin face. ‘What about my mother's safety? You didn't care about that, did you? And now she's dead.’
    ‘If I'd known your mother was in danger, I'd have done everything in my power to protect her –’
    ‘He killed her, didn't he?’ Lucy interrupted her.
    ‘We're not sure how your mother died, Lucy. That's what we're trying to find out. Lucy, I'm really sorry about your mother. You know we're going to do everything we can to find out who's responsible.’ The girl nodded, kicking at the ground with a dirty trainer. ‘When you saw me in your kitchen, you said “Is this her? What's she doing here?” and then you yelled at me to get out of the house. What was that about?’
    Lucy wiped her nose on the back of her glove. ‘I thought you were someone else.’
    ‘Who did you think I was?’
    ‘I don't know.’
    ‘Lucy, is your father seeing another woman? Is that it? Did you think I was your father's girlfriend?’
    Lucy bowed her head. Geraldine had to lean forward to hear what she was saying. ‘My mother knew. I heard them arguing about it. He said he wanted a divorce but she said she wouldn't give him up. She said she didn't care that he was seeing someone else but she was never going to let him go. I thought, why would my mum accuse him of seeing someone if it wasn't true? And he didn't deny it.’ She looked up, her eyes burning. ‘I'm never going to speak to him again. I hate him.’
    ‘You could be mistaken.’
    ‘I'm not. I asked my mum about it. We used to talk about things. She told me she followed him one